KITTEN ASTROLOGY - JUNE 2016
This one time, we were sitting on a bench in Paris at 5 in the morning. We were coming home from a night of wine and cheese tasting and needed to take a little rest a couple blocks away from our apartment. Given the context of the world feeling a little hazy, you can only imagine our surprise when we saw two ferrets running around freely in the side streets. Ferrets… real, live ferrets. Wiping our eyes trying to get rid of the craziness - nope, they were still there. Some uncomfortable laughs, followed by us making our way home to sleep it off, the incident was forgotten until the next afternoon when as we were enjoying our café au lait and croissant andsaw a woman walking a ferret on a leash. Coincidence? I think not.
With this month’s theme of spirit animals being paired with your monthly astrology readings, we ask you to tune into the strange and often inexplicable symbols that come into our lives, whether we like it or not. Tune into the perceived mystery of your subconscious and consider what meaning the things you feel unnaturally drawn to in your reality have.
June is a month of new beginnings. The kittens will be moving to the east coast at the end of the month, so wrapping up our lives here, and opening ourselves to change is very present for us. The beginning of summer, the ending of spring (and the school year for many), is a time of renewal and fresh starts. Meow!
Aries (March 22 to April 20 ) - Temperance
This major arcana card points towards finding temperance, balance and health. Recognizing that this is often the more boring, “safe” path, but this path is also very comforting, grounding and centred in stability. In contrast with the spontaneity of the fool or knight cards who often dive headfirst into situations without thinking of the possibility of negative consequences, those with a temperate spirit take things slow, with careful consideration, and are not often met with massive disappointment.
Squirrels are able to slow down and think about their actions; they consider whether or not they really need to be taking the nut or shiny thing that catches their attention. They consider whether it’s safe to do so, weighing their long term survival over the immediate allure of whatever catches their attention. They have a concept beyond their immediate gratification, storing things for the future. A give and take, which is also tempered by getting rest and recovery in order to increase their chance of survival.
Looking into your month, give yourself as much time as you can to make decisions, especially when it comes to your home/living situation and health. Get third-party opinions if you can and talk through all the possible options before making the best decision.
Taurus (April 22 to May 20) - Ace of Cups
An opening for emotional waviness is in store for you this month. Aces represent beginnings, openings, newness. Cups represent love, emotion, relationships. Use the magnetism of this card to attract someone, something, or situations infused with emotional positivity.
The Panda is a wise, calm and healthy creature. The most spiritually enlightened people know that living in a state of gratitude and giving back, you attract the same sort of energy. With the Panda acting as your spirit animal this month, focus on gratitude as well as healthy eating habits to best foster this emotional opening. When you’re happy and healthy, you will be in a better position to rise to the occasion and make the most of them.
Gemini (May 21 to June 21) - The Moon
The moon card represents our subconscious, the things hidden deep inside us that we’re often afraid of facing. Those weird, uncomfortable, difficult things that surface when we’re either forced to face them, or they come out in our dreams or in symbols that strike a profound chord with us in the real world.
Scorpions represent death and rebirth. The UV rays of moonlight react with a protein in scorpions making them glow in the dark. This month, focus on your subconscious and make the changes required to start a new path. Slough off your fears by bathing in the moonlight, becoming in tune with the moon and your inner self. Remove excess from your life by simplifying - both materially and in terms of the relationships you have that may not be serving you. Allow the illumination of the moon to show you the direction forward.
Cancer (June 22 to July 22) - The Lovers
Love, sex, intimacy. The strongest emotion of all is Love! Last month you realigned yourself with your emotional side, Moon Child, and you drank all the water to keep your system flowing smoothly. Feeling more flowy?
Dolphins are very sexual creatures. Said to spend up to 80% of their lives engaging in sexual play. Hot damn! Call upon this kinky animal to guide your month. Whether with a partner, or by yourself, love is in the air (or water). Be open to love, and let the Dolphin guide you in finding loving joy (what a perfect start to your summer!).
Leo (July 23 to August 22) - The Emperor
The powerful, stern gaze of the emperor commands the attention and respect of those who cross him. June is going to be your month to implement structure, organization and regulation into your life. Don’t let the loose ends of last month’s inner exploration stay untied, especially with this month of fresh starts.
Emperor Penguins are independent, strong and powerful creatures. But due to the extreme conditions in which they live (and thrive), they huddle together for warmth when the temperature becomes too cold even for their tough dispositions. Like penguins which are very hardworking and dedicated to the group, Leo’s are also leaders and fiercely independent (even when they could benefit from asking for help). Drive yourself forward towards a totally new way of being, letting the symbol of the emperor and his animal totem guide you.
Virgo (August 23 to September 22) - Knight of Swords
Knight cards are like the teenage boys of the tarot deck. Always extreme in their emotions and actions, they burn bridges and ruin friendships and relationships with their over the top reactions.
The knight of swords imagines himself as being a ruler with a strong moral compass and ability to take swift action. But he can be cold, rude, overbearing and absolutely unnecessary with his actions. On the flip side, knight cards ask you to think about whether you need a bit of a push in his direction. Are you being too wishy washy with your decision making? Are you staying silent where you should be speaking up?
The Wolf is an extremely territorial animal, and their main predators are much larger cats (tigers, cougars), and humans. Wolves lash out violently in the pack when they feel threatened. The hierarchy of a wolf pack is very set, like royalty. And as we grow and mature in life we learn that these positions are earned through steadfastness, high morals and strong work ethic, rather than childish fighting or trying to take what is not rightly ours through extreme measures. Turn back to these lessons when faced with situations you want to react hastily to this month.
Libra (September 23 - October 22) - Two of Wands
The lesson of the two of wands is that personal power, feeling powerful, is a beautiful thing to feel, but we must always remember that true power comes from the Divine. This month you’ll be a magnet, attracting people and opportunities to you with ease if you focus on harnessing your personal power for good.
Now is also an excellent time to take creative risks as the stars have aligned to support your creative endeavours. When you focus on the purity of your creative expression, the Universe flows through you naturally and effortlessly.
Zebra’s are powerful animals, with a strong ability to survive in harsh conditions. But they also know that their survival often depends on being part of the tribe - relying on something greater than just themselves to truly thrive. Things are never black and white, the wisdom of the universe is always the unseen power at play, so let the Zebra guide your trust and understanding this month as you embark on new creative journeys.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21) - Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles is sensible and secure. Having spent her life being resourceful, caring and generous, she now has the physical and material security that allows her to spend the rest of her days caring for others. She will never turn anyone away! Loyal, steadfast in her love, and being proactive about the needs of herself and others is her strength.
Bears! Are caring and nurturing and fiercely protective of their young. Be a mama/papa bear this month and approach everyone you come into contact with this month with a nurturing attitude. Don’t let yourself get caught up in personalized mind loops or compulsive thinking - concentrate on the bigger picture of health and love for all mankind, and you’ll be surprised at how much easier your life will flow.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21) - Death
June is a month of transition, from spring into summer. The changing of the seasons. Summer is the vibrating, pulsating of life brought on by spring. Death is the ultimate purifier, and the Death card represents a shedding of something and changing, transitioning into something new.
Snakes are also powerful symbols of rebirth and the eternal mysteries of life. Tied to original sin, snakes also often appear in figure eight shapes, signifying eternity. Energy is neither created nor destroyed, merely transferred into new matter. This month is sure to be full of upheaval and disarray, but remember that everything is always moving towards something better. Embrace the change, and reimagine it as a sloughing off of an older, more immature part of you, in exchange for new meaning.
Capricorn (December 22 to January 20) - Eight of Wands
This is an opportunistic time to swiftly open and close on something. A move maybe? A pop up shop? Business travel? Whatever it ends up being, you need to act! Act swiftly and with courage.
How could we not include the ferret? Ferrets are opportunists who are always ready for any situation that presents itself. They can see in the dark and have a keen sense of the hidden aspects of the unconscious, so it is a good animal to have on your side when you often have to rely on your intuition to avoid delay or missing an opportunity.
Aquarius (January 21 to February 18) - The Empress
Mothering, nurturing, giving and receiving pleasure. Generous, open spirit. Life is so beautiful! We are all the same, and have the ability to access all the abundance available in the natural world.
Who is the queen of the animal world? Lions and lionesses are at the top of the food chain; an emblem of strength, braveness, knowledge. Fierce protectors of their young and their partner, they guide the growth and development of their tribes. Faced with challenges, draw on the motherly nurturing of the Empress and the steadfast courage of the Lion.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20) - Justice
Tying up loose ends. Starting fresh in a good way. Ending things clearly and concisely, getting the most out of all you’ve put in. But also recognizing that your fair reward is justly due to you. Moving forward, don’t forget to clearly tie up all that has been. Accept responsibility for the things you’ve done, even if they aren’t working out. Know that if you move forward with no loose ends, without shirking responsibility, you’ll have a more pure start with better outcomes in the long run.
Cranes are large, long-necked birds that live and breed near water. They represent longevity, honour and loyalty. The symbol of the crane asks you to reflect on your past to better your present/future. Reflecting on your past, the consequences things had as a direct result of your actions, and relating that to the Justice card, take the time this month to improve your actions and your future will improve.